Culinary Cook | Culinary Chef | Senior Living Cook

Heritage Senior Living•Village of Pewaukee, WI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Heritage Senior Living is seeking a dependable, passionate Cook for Heritage Court Waukesha Senior Living in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The Cook prepares and serves appealing meals and contributes to residents’ daily dining experience. Reporting to the Executive Chef and working closely with the culinary team, the position covers food preparation, meal service, dietary compliance, sanitation, and resident and guest service. The Cook prepares food according to menus, recipes, production standards, resident preferences, and dietary instructions; monitors food quality and temperatures; and supports special events and activities. The role also involves maintaining sanitary, organized kitchen areas, following food-safety and infection-control practices, storing and rotating food properly, monitoring inventory and equipment, and completing required department documentation. The position requires working a flexible schedule based on community and resident needs, including weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed. It involves extended periods of standing and walking, physical kitchen tasks, and regularly lifting, carrying, or moving items up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be provided as required by law.

Requirements

Previous food-preparation or cooking experience is required.
Ability to read and follow recipes, menus, food labels, dietary instructions, safety procedures, and required documentation.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Strong communication and customer-service skills.
Understanding of or willingness to learn sanitation and infection-control practices.
Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and community team members.
Ability to meet applicable pre-employment, training, and regulatory requirements.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and bend, reach, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and perform movements needed for kitchen duties.
Ability to regularly lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work safely around heat, steam, hot surfaces, sharp utensils, cleaning products, wet surfaces, and temperature changes.
Dependability, organization, ability to manage multiple priorities, and comfort working in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Food-service or culinary certification is a plus.
Senior living, healthcare, institutional food service, hospitality, or restaurant experience preferred.
Enjoyment of working with older adults and a positive, team-oriented customer-service approach.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook meals according to established menus, recipes, and production standards.
Follow proper portioning, presentation, and serving methods.
Prepare meals according to resident preferences, special dietary needs, and applicable dietary instructions.
Ensure food is prepared and served safely, accurately, and on time.
Monitor food quality, temperatures, appearance, and presentation during preparation and service.
Follow direction from the Executive Chef and Sous Chef on daily production and culinary operations.
Assist with food preparation for special events, celebrations, and resident activities.
Provide friendly, attentive service to residents and guests; interact with residents during meal service and help monitor dining satisfaction.
Respond professionally to resident requests and communicate concerns to the appropriate team member.
Collaborate with the culinary team and other departments to support the resident experience.
Follow food-safety, sanitation, infection-control, and applicable state and local food-service requirements.
Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized food-preparation and kitchen areas and follow cleaning schedules and infection-control procedures.
Label, date, rotate, and store food products properly to maintain quality and reduce waste.
Monitor inventory and communicate food and supply needs to the Executive Chef.
Monitor kitchen equipment and promptly report maintenance or safety concerns.
Assist with monitoring dishwasher temperatures and chemical levels as needed.
Complete or assist with food-safety, temperature, cleaning, and other department documentation.
Communicate effectively with residents, guests, and team members.
Safely handle food, cookware, utensils, kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies; perform food preparation, cooking, portioning, plating, and meal service.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and work a flexible schedule that may include weekends, holidays, and additional hours.